The family of Nnamdi Kanu, the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), has expressed deep disappointment over what they claim is President Bola Tinubu’s failure to honour an alleged agreement reportedly made through his son, Seyi Tinubu, before the 2023 general elections.
In a statement, Kanu’s younger brother, Emmanuel Kanu, alleged that Seyi Tinubu, with his father’s approval, met with him in Abuja before the election.
The purported agreement stipulated that IPOB would not boycott the election in exchange for Kanu’s release if Bola Tinubu became president.
Prince Emmanuel stated that, nearly two years into Tinubu’s presidency, Kanu remains in detention despite legal rulings in his favour, including an Appeal Court order for his release and the recusal of Justice Binta Nyako from the case.
He expressed frustration over what he described as a lack of honour, saying, “It’s disappointing that those who claim to be men of integrity have failed to keep their word.”
The statement detailed the alleged meeting: “Before the last election, I received a message from an ex-governor that Seyi Tinubu wanted to meet with me. I agreed on the condition that the focus of our discussion would be the release of my brother. The meeting, held in Abuja, was attended by another individual I brought along for independent verification.
“Seyi assured me that his father sanctioned the meeting and that any agreement reached would be binding. In good faith, I communicated this to my brother, who reaffirmed IPOB’s stance of not interfering with elections.
“When President Tinubu, as a candidate, visited Owerri during his campaign, he publicly reiterated his commitment to facilitate my brother’s release. We took his statement as confirmation of our agreement. IPOB ensured there was no election boycott or civil disobedience, reflecting its adherence to democratic principles.”
Emmanuel criticized the prolonged detention of Kanu, stressing that no charges are currently against him and accusing Nigerian courts of using “technicalities” to stall the case.
“The truth is that Nigerian courts lack the jurisdiction to try him. His detention has no legal basis under any law in Nigeria or globally,” he added.
He concluded by calling it a “shame” that promises made by those in power have not been honoured.
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